"Do NOT drive into water over your car's tailpipe. But if you do, and the engine goes dead, do NOT restart it - that'll suck water into the engine."

"Do NOT drive into water over your car's tailpipe. But if you do, and the engine goes dead, do NOT restart it - that'll suck water into the engine."

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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"Best thing we had during Ike was a landline phone that got its power direct from the connection, not one that had to be plugged in to an outlet. You can still find these, and if you have one, you become VERY popular with your neighbors, who can’t make phone calls because they’re running out of juice on their cell phones or home walkabouts." less

"Best thing we had during Ike was a landline phone that got its power direct from the connection, not one that had to be plugged in to an outlet. You can still find these, and if you have one, you become VERY ... more

Photo: Amanda Tipton Photography, Getty Images/Flickr RF

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"Fill up cars with gas."

"Fill up cars with gas."

Photo: Julio Cortez, Associated Press

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"Buy lots of water."

"Buy lots of water."

Photo: Seth Wenig, Associated Press

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"Buy phone charging gear."

"Buy phone charging gear."

Photo: PowerFlask

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"Put all your milk in the freezer. If the power goes out, it will last hours longer."

"Put all your milk in the freezer. If the power goes out, it will last hours longer."

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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"Get a Netflix account."

"Get a Netflix account."

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"Buy a waterproof deck of cards."

"Buy a waterproof deck of cards."

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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"Generators come in handy."

"Generators come in handy."

Photo: MAYRA BELTRAN :, CHRONICLE

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"Leave the city before the storm hits if you can."

"Leave the city before the storm hits if you can."

Photo: STAN HONDA, Getty Images

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"Stock up on non-perishables."

"Stock up on non-perishables."

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"Get cash."

"Get cash."

Photo: Anthony Bradshaw, File / Getty

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"Pass the time with flashlights and board games if there's a power outage."

"Pass the time with flashlights and board games if there's a power outage."

Photo: Maria-Patricia Cortez, For The Chronicle

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"In the event of power outages, make sure you have charcoal and/or wood to BBQ all of your meat in the freezer!"

"In the event of power outages, make sure you have charcoal and/or wood to BBQ all of your meat in the freezer!"

Photo: Ullstein Bild, Getty Images

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"Write down phone numbers to those important to you because you rely on your cell as your phone book."

"Write down phone numbers to those important to you because you rely on your cell as your phone book."

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"Remember that a gas stove still works when the lights are out... unless you haven't paid your gas bill."

"Remember that a gas stove still works when the lights are out... unless you haven't paid your gas bill."

Photo: Lori Van Buren

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"Put an axe in your attic."

"Put an axe in your attic."

Photo: Fotosearch, Getty Images

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"Fill your tubs and sinks with water."

"Fill your tubs and sinks with water."

Photo: MORRY GASH, Express-News/File

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"Be careful exiting after the storm! Downed power lines, trees, debris will be everywhere."

"Be careful exiting after the storm! Downed power lines, trees, debris will be everywhere."

Photo: Lewis Geyer, AP

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"The snakes were everywhere, especially water moccasins."

"The snakes were everywhere, especially water moccasins."

Photo: Blaine Eaton, Courtesy

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Experienced storm survivors share tips for first timers

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Hurricane season is finally here and with it, many questions from newcomers experiencing their first storm season.

From what to stock up on, to how to pass the time, we reached out to residents that have been through floods, tropical storms and hurricanes to give first time storm preparers advice on how to make it through.

Click through the gallery above to get some tips on how to survive a major storm.